Mark V - 40th Anniv - Limited

I need another amp like I need a hole in my head, that said I promised myself a Mark V as a gift for a year of hard work.

Soooooo, why am I drooling over the 40th, for the love of the Amp God out there. You would think a regular V would do it, but the 40th looks like it could be an old friend, a partner you have a drink with while you play while wearing your pj's and cartoon slippers.

Am I nuts, once again - someone talk me off the ledge or at best give me a good reason why it would make sense.'

Are the cosmetics the only think that makes it different then the stock Mark V?

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Yes. They're gorgeous and expensive but they're the same chassis, same circuit.

I love the looks of the figured wood enclosures with the cane weave grill cloth but I'd just end up beating the crap out of the finish. I'm careful with my equipment but amps that get hauled around will eventually show wear. If I had one of these limited edition figured wood combos I'd feel obligated to take exceptional care of it and would be hesitant to take it most places. I don't want to think about or worry about my equipment that much - I just want it to be there and work right when I need it.

I have two Ernie Ball Bongo 4HH basses - both identical aside from the finish. One is in a color that EB used for less than 25 of these instruments before discontinuing the color. It also has a limited edition serial number / neck plate - one of two like it. I am in the process of trading this bass for a regular production 5 string version. The bass will go up in value, no doubt about it. It's already up quite a bit from when I bought it new inn 2004. Because of this I'm consciuosly more careful with it and less apt to take it out. I'd rather have a regular production (i.e. replaceable) piece and let someone else worry about the collectors value on the one I have now.

All that said it's definitely a personal preference thing. For those that enjoy them the figured wood Mesa cabs are beautiful and almost certainly worth the extra coin.